Mary Ann Grossmann, book editor for the St. Paul Pioneer Press, MN, wrote a smashing review for Delicate Armor, October 30, 2011. Here are excerpts:
"Callie Lindstrom is one of the most appealing protagonists in this season's crop of debut novels by Minnesota writers.
"Feisty Callie is the narrator of Connie Claire Szarke's exceptionally well-written 'Delicate Armor' (North Star Press, $14.95).
"The story moves from 1952 to 1991, and that means Callie's voice must gradually mature. Szarke gets it right...
"It isn't unusual for local authors to receive endorsements from fellow writers in this supportive literary community. But Szarke is earning raves from an exceptional group, including poet/oral historian and environmental writer Joe Paddock; syndicated newspaper columnist, author and University of Minnesota senior fellow Stephen Wilbers; novelists Faith Sullivan and Pamela Carter Joern; and 'Minnesota Bound' TV host Ron Schara."
The Apple Tree Blossoms in The Fall, is the life journey of Carineh - a child, a teenager, a wife, a mother, but most of all a woman of purpose. From stories of her parents held-up by bandits; the white donkey gifted by Khomeini; her father's death f
Soldier's Gap is a non-traditional mystery with literary elements. The high school principal is brutally murdered, but Deputy Sheriff Dave Jenkins's search for meaning and love is a much more significant theme.
"Murder isn't usually this fun
Part Three in the Mu Series - Sarah Thompson reluctantly abandons her desperate search for her soul mate on Maui and returns to her Montana hometown. Her brother has had a terrible accident...
